The Update I Almost Never Got Around To Doing

Three Generations, From Two Families, In One Picture. Find the third generation.

Call me Tito. I've had nieces and nephews from my cousins, but it hasn't really sunk in until it comes from your a sibling. I'm an uncle now in our immediate family now. So I can't say I'm a monkey's uncle anymore because that would insinuate my niece to be the monkey. She's all adorable but I can't share pictures of her yet...

My Quick Summer Jaunt

It has been a fairly busy year for me. This year, 2019 may promise to be among the busier ones...  We're expecting an upcoming happy occasion in the family, and this led me to an errand across the street...

This gate leads to my destination.

Okay, not really. It required me to travel to the other side of the Pacific Ocean.

2014 San Diego Beach - Revisited

I don't usually go to the beach... But when I do, it's in San Diego, California...

2012 San Mateo, CA - Revisited

Back in 2012, I was given the good fortune of being assigned for training for our work in the USA. I was working in San Mateo, it's a not-so-often-heard place that I haven't heard from any Hollywood movie. It's located around 20 miles south of San Francisco. Unlike the crowded 'Frisco though, it's actually very peaceful and quiet. It is by far among the best surprises I ever had. The town is very upscale and folks are friendly. This is one of the few places that I'll definitely remember. 

I got a good chance to take evening walks and a nice camera at the time. Here are some of the pictures I've taken around town. There are a lot of parks here, this one in particular is in the residential area. 

The Way Back - Narita Layover

While Nashville was fun, warm and welcoming, we inevitably had to leave. On one chilly Friday morning, we met up at the hotel lobby and embarked on our journey back to Manila. We flew to Atlanta, and almost missed our flight to Japan. The flight to Japan has been long and unforgiving. We've had some respite when we touched down in Narita. From there, we had some time to unwind a bit before our flight to Manila. I thought it'd be an opportunity to look around the airport.

Dinner With Office Folks

While we didn't have exactly the time to go wander around Nashville during working days, on our last two nights before flying back we got treated to some awesome eats by one our bosses there. It was actually amazing each night. On the first night we went to this Bar/Restaurant/Brewery called Fat Bottom. Apart from the awesome food, it had great music. On the following night, I forgot to take note the name of the other restaurant. It was a fine dining place, and food was great too.

I did mention previously that we were going home.  But our visit here wasn't going to end without any going away gathering.

Downtown Nashville Nights

While I enjoyed walking around Nashville in the day,  the nights there were no less lively, festive and colorful. It's not exactly Las Vegas, but nonetheless the lights are bright with a crowd that's plenty. It's nothing like a sleepy town I initially thought it'd be. As far as interesting places go, it's as fun as any.

Nashville Days - Getting All Chummy

By now I've gotten comfortable with the environment, so I've gone a bit more assertive (read: reckless) and it made for some more images more intimate than the previous sets. And I've gotten more fun at it actually. I can't stop raving on how awesome and lively Nashville is.

Our Stay In Nashville Hosted By Hilton Garden Inn

Our stay in Nashville has proven to be enjoyable. Yes, it was work, flight was terrible due to delays and close calls in our flights going to and from Atlanta, but while we were in Nashville, after work hours were awesome hours. What made it better was the fact that our hotel was located right in the middle of Downtown, surrounded by awesome places, and our office was only a block away. I especially like the convenience of the hotel we stayed in. If I'm ever back in Nashville, I'd definitely pick this place to stay.

Nashville Days - Getting To Know

We arrived in Nashville at midnight. Tired and weary, we checked in to the hotel. The hotel was a more traditional looking offering compared to the one we stayed in at California. Went to sleep after that. When I woke up it was almost noon. My co-worker was nowhere to be found, so it was just my boss and I having a stroll downtown. There's an NHL event this week, and the whole place was quite lovely.

Travelling By Plane

While I like travelling in general, especially when the mood hits me, travelling domestic in the US has become a nightmare for me. I'd not generalize though. It's a given that delays are inevitable. I usually won't mind it. It all becomes an ordeal when it means missing the next flight. I have visited Atlanta, GA. I was there... For around half an hour. Running like hell transferring from one terminal to another fearing I'd miss the next flight. It's not something that one easily forgets.

Our Home Away From Home

This cozy place is called Marriott Residence Inn. It's our home away from home. This album showcases some interesting spots in it. I think it's a homely and cozy place. It looks more like a compound than a hotel building. The rooms are complete and have generous spaces too. Uh, no, I won't have pictures of what my room looks like.

Around California

We came here for work. I managed to somehow steal some snaps along the way especially outside work. I tend to forget my photographic side when at the office due to immense tasks we tackle day in and day out. This album has some shots I have taken outside the office, during the weekend before work, or on some nights after working.

Last Leg: LAX to SFO

At last we're back in USA. But we can't settle down just yet. We're not where we want to be. We landed in LAX (LA International Airport) and gone through customs. Predictably, I don't have pictures of those. Folks are pretty paranoid about it for "security reasons". Personally I like SFO better than LAX. Need to have a short break first. And lunch as well. After that, we hit the flight to where we want to be: SFO (San Francisco International Airport). It takes us the better part of the day.
Please excuse the captions, they take a bit of time to load. You can view the complete slide show at the end of the entry.

2016 Flight To USA

I left my heart in San Francisco. Now I'm coming back... To leave other parts of me on other places I guess. Yes this is my first big adventure for some time. Make no mistake, this journey is for work. But I still enjoy being in a foreign and friendlier country. This album shows the beginning of my big journey. On a side note, I changed the settings in Flickr to ensure it shows the comments. Try clicking on the images if they don't show up upon loading.

On this entry I'll be geeking out. A lot. Growing up I've been a fan of airplanes, and aviation in general. So yes, I know my Boeing 747 from my Airbus A380 and I can tell apart the A320 from the 737. Please excuse the geek.

Throwback Thursday: Around Belmont

I may, for sometime, have been raving about how I love being in San Mateo, CA. But for a time before that, for a couple months or so, lodging in San Mateo wasn't available for us. For the time being, we were living in its neighboring city, Belmont, CA. It was May of 2012...

The Oracle compound. Belmont, CA.

Monday Memories: Viva Las Vegas!

Oh yes. Viva Las Vegas! The buildings, the food, the lights, the lovely ladies, the beautiful sights, the interesting concepts and the ever-amazing Strip. Las Vegas is indeed Sin City (I found one that caters to my favorite sin there. An all you can eat sushi place.). But there's actually more to it than the obvious stereotype. Las Vegas is actually a lovely place.

It doesn't look like much from here, but the lights at the horizon would be The Strip.

Monday Memories: Rolling With The Crew

It was that Sunday in July last 2012. Sundays are usually ho-hum for me. But this particular Sunday was special. I got to spend the day with my cousin, a bona fide car enthusiast. He met up with his fellow enthusiasts for a Sunday drive. When they gather, the parking lot becomes a car show ground. And I mean a real car show for car enthusiasts - one that's all about the cars and without the ridiculous amount of women distracting you trying to look all cute and pretty getting in the way. Not that it's a bad thing, it's just distracting.

The ride getting there. I was very lucky to have the opportunity to ride shotgun in this thoroughbred.

Monday Memories: San Diego Airport

There's one thing I like about the airport in San Diego, CA. They serve booze. They have a mini museum. I was waiting for my Auntie to pick me up when it was my second time to visit. I got to stroll around and take some pictures.

Mastering the art of airports... Whatever that is.

Monday Memories: Strolls Around Saratoga

Exactly two years ago today, that was when I was spending my final days in San Mateo before I was going to fly back to Manila. Needless to say, I miss the place.

Artificial stream. This is the view I remember most in the Saratoga area.